MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama Commission on Higher Education has announced the hire of a former Auburn University administrator as its new director of instruction and special projects.

Leonard Lock will step into the job tasked with reviewing proposals for new college academic programs as well as existing existing academic programs, according to ACHE Director Gregory Fitch.

"Dr. Lock has more than 20 years' experience in the educational field," Fitch said. "His extensive background will be extremely beneficial for conducting the review of proposals for new academic programs and the review of existing programs."

Lock comes to ACHE from Trenton, N.J., where he served as assistant dean of educational leadership and graduate programs at Thomas Edison State College.

There he was tasked maintaining the college's academic accreditation and reviewing existing academic programs.

He worked previously at Auburn University as coordinator of assessment and evaluation in the College of Education.

Lock holds doctoral degree in physical education, a master's degree in education psychology and a master of education in physical education from Temple University in Philadelphia, Penn.

He also holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education is the state
agency responsible for the overall statewide planning and coordination of
higher education. It also administers various student-aid programs.